Tuesday 19 November 2013 13.58 EST
First published on Tuesday 19 November 2013 13.58 EST

Steve McNamara is adamant that England will improve their level of performance against New Zealand in their World Cup semi-final, despite a stilted display in the previous round, and claims that his side play better in the face of stronger opposition. The England coach was deeply disappointed following the 34-6 victory over France last weekend and must now prepare the host side for a showdown against the World Cup holders at Wembley on Saturday.

"Playing at our national stadium is not something the England rugby league team does very often and it really is special," he said. "We played Australia two years back and it was a great occasion but this is a World Cup semi-final, this is probably as good as it gets, for the national team to be playing on this occasion in that arena.

"I think we play a whole lot better when there is an element of fear in the back of our minds. Playing a really good opposition brings the best out in you, rather than the opposite way around."

New Zealand have scored 186 points in four matches, although other than a 20-minute spell in their opening game with Samoa, Stephen Kearney's side have rarely come under pressure. Sonny Bill Williams and co have dazzled at times whereas England have produced only pockets of attacking pizzazz and were lacklustre during the second half against France.

Asked about the threat from Williams, McNamara said: "He's a very good player, he's shown that in both codes. I think there's certain stages in the game where he might catch you, he might get you with a play, but it's how you adapt on the back of that, scramble and prevent other things happening.

"You've got to prepare the best for every single player they've got. In an ideal world you'd like to stop every player on every single play but it's not going to happen. We'll certainly be prepared, not just for Sonny Bill, but for all of them, because there are a plenty of people who have got talent in their team. We'll look at him and other individuals within their squad, as we would normally do.

"All across the park, they've got talented players. I think you've seen throughout the tournament how free-flowing they've been, how dominant they've been against all their opposition."

McNamara, who has so far overseen victories over Ireland and Fiji as well as France, dismissed the notion that New Zealand could take their eye off the ball given the standard of their opponents in the tournament so far.

He said: "They've been really good and blown all the opposition away, they've had some teams who have been highly motivated to play against them, they haven't been able to do that and that's because of what the Kiwis have done to them. It's great credit to them."